The classic Dad’s Army line – uttered by Captain Mainwaring (Arthur Lowe) after Ian Lavender’s gormless Private Pike has been asked for his name by a German prisoner – topped a list of iconic gags from hit shows like Blackadder, Fawlty Towers and Absolutely Fabulous.

Fawlty Towers was rated favourite British sitcom in the Gold TV Comedy Audit, with hapless hotel host Basil Fawlty (John Cleese), the second most popular male comedy character after Steve Coogan’s Alan Partridge.

The antics of iconic Spanish waiter Manuel, played by the late Andrew Sachs – when he had to deny any knowledge of placing a winning bet on a horse race – was another popular moment.

Critic Bruce Dessau, who compiled the list of more than 100 comedians, said: “We are well known across the world for our ‘British sense of humour’, which is shown at its best in many of our best-loved and timeless comedy classics.

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Joanna Lumley in Absolutely Fabulous was dubbed best female performer

"The art of comedy is almost impossible to define, but many of these characters, lines and sitcoms are brilliant examples of the very best in the history of British TV comedy.”

Alan Partridge meeting a superfan with a room dedicated to him was rated the critics’ favourite scene.

Basil Fawlty’s infamous argument with German guests, where he stressed “Don’t mention the war!”, also featured.

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Fawlty Towers was rated the best British sitcom with 32 per cent of the vote, ahead of I’m Alan Partridge on 26 per cent and Blackadder on 21 per cent.

Captain Mainwaring’s hilarious warning to Private Pike was voted the best one-liner, followed by, “A pint? Why that’s very nearly an armful” from Hancock’s Half Hour when Tony Hancock discovered all about being a blood donor.

Manuel’s confusion over the winning bet was rated as the fourth-best line, narrowly losing out to Father Ted’s explanation of perspective to Father Dougal.

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The panel of comedians voted Fawlty Towers as the best British comedy

He said: “These [toy cows] are small. But those [real cows] out there are far away. [Points to toy cow] Small… [Points to real cow] far away.”

Comedians David Baddiel, Jenny Eclair, Reece Shearsmith and Alexei Sayle were among those surveyed.